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Three weeks after the New York Jets installed Mike White, who has put up absolute video game numbers in his two starts at quarterback, head coach Robert Saleh appeared to say everything by saying nothing about White’s future.
“One week at a time. One week at a time, guys,” a smiling Saleh told reports December 5 when asked directly whether White was the long-term answer at quarterback and, more to the point, whether he was simply a better football player than season-opening quarterback Zach Wilson.
The Jets benched Wilson for White after their 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots on November 20. Since then, White has gone 1-1 and:
- Averaged 8 yards per attempt
- Averaged 342 passing yards per game
- Thrown three touchdowns and rushed for another.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh was asked if he’s open to the possibility that Mike White is their long term QB & just happens to be a better football player than Zach Wilson? Saleh smiled & stated, ‘one week at a time, one week at a time guys’: 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight
Wilson’s Troubles
Earlier in the season, Saleh had signaled his faith in Wilson, the second-year quarterback out of BYU. But after seven games, Wilson was not showing significant improvement over his rookie season performance. He’d thrown for more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4) and was averaging only 183 yards per game on 55.6% completion percentage, which was last in the league.
Beyond the numbers, there was speculation that Wilson had lost the locker room by the end of the Patriots game. So despite Saleh’s belief in Wilson, he was left with little choice to demote Wilson while leaving the door open for his return.
“Zach’s career here is not over,” Saleh told reporters on November 23. “I know that’s going to be the narrative, I know that’s what everybody wants to shout out. It’s not even close to the case. The intent, the full intent, is to make sure that Zach gets back on the football field at some point this year.”
Saleh reiterated that point during a December 5 appearance on ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show,” saying, “We have a game plan for Zach to try to get him back to [fundamentals] and all the different things he needs to work on. There’s a reason he was a second pick. I think that’s important for people to understand that.”
Some Believe QB1 Is Already Decided for Jets
Some fans and pundits believe that the Jets’ rematch with the Buffalo Bills (9-3) on December 11 will decide whether the Jets (7-5) stick with White or go back to Wilson.
At least one observer, though, said he’d seen enough from White to state that he thought White should remain the starter throughout the rest of 2022.
“He shouldn’t have to play with the fear of losing his job,” said Zack Rosenblatt on the December 5 episode of The Athletic’s “Can’t Wait” podcast. “I think he’s shown enough in two games that he’s clearly good enough to lead a good team to the playoffs.”
On #CantWait Pod, @ZackBlatt argued #Bills game shouldn’t decide whether or not #Jets stick w/ Mike White moving forward or flip to Zach Wilson.
He isn’t saying MW will have a bad game, but even if he does, he thinks sticking w/ White gives #TakeFlight best chance at playoffs.
In two starts, White has won one game emphatically (Chicago Bears) and should have, would have, could have won the other one versus the Minnesota Vikings. The eye test shows that the offense has appeared more effective with White under center.
If he struggles against the Bills, it would be tempting for the Jets to go back to Wilson, especially considering that schedule lightens up with the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars in back-to-back home games.
“The Bills are obviously going to be a big test, but the Bills are the hardest defense left on the schedule,” Rosenblatt said. “If they lose next week and you go to Zach Wilson, I think their chances of making the playoffs reduce. If you lose next week and stick with Mike White, you still have a chance.”
Last year in the Jets’ 45-17 home loss to the Bills, White was 24-of-44 with 251 passing yards and four interceptions. He was eventually benched in the game for Veteran Joe Flacco.
How will he respond in his first chance at revenge? In the words of Captain Planet, “the power is yours,” Mike White, to change your destiny.
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Jets Send Message on Mike White’s Future After Breakout